Mars unwraps new product innovations
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Mars Chocolate North America this week unveiled a number of new products, along with some new consumer promotions and merchandising displays at the National Confectioners Association Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago.
According to the company, the new items included:
Combos Baked Snacks Sweet & Salty Chocolate Fudge Pretzel features creamy fudge filling surrounded by a salty, crunchy pretzel shell. (November 2015, $2.29 for 6.0 oz. medium bags);
The cranberry and cherry variants of Real Fruit Dipped in Dove Dark Chocolate will be available in a new size: convenient, share-able, resealable 17-ounce stand-up pouches. (October 2015, $8.99-$10.99 for 17 oz. large stand-up pouch);
Goodnessknows Snack Squares -- available in Cranberry Almond Dark Chocolate, Apple Almond & Peanut Dark Chocolate, and Peach & Cherry Almond Dark Chocolate -– are made with delicious dark chocolate, slow-roasted whole almonds, toasted oats and real fruit. (July 2015, $1.39-$1.59 for 1.2 oz. singles, $4.99-$6.99 for a five-pack carton);
M&M’S Brand To-Go Bottles are innovative, re-closable and reusable bottles boasting 3.5 ounces of M&M’S® Brand Milk Chocolate Candies and M&M’S® Brand Peanut Chocolate Candies. (November 2015, $2.50-$3.50 for 3.5 oz. bottle);
M&M’S Brand will re-launch the M&M’S Brand Box Pack format in March 2016 with major marketing that includes the blockbuster summer promotion “M&M’S Brand Movie Ticket Mania.” (March 2016, $1.00-$1.99 per box pack);
Milky Way Brand Marshmallow with Caramel Bar delivers a magnificent combination of fluffy marshmallow nougat covered with a layer of smooth caramel, enrobed in creamy milk chocolate. (July 2015, $1.09-$1.39 for 1.72 oz. single);
Milky Way Midnight Bar will be available in a 2 To Go size enclosed in a resealable twist-wrap. Every bite offers creamy caramel and vanilla-flavored nougat coated in dark chocolate. (December 2015, $1.69-$1.99 for 2.83 oz. 2 To Go);
Snickers Brand Mixed Nuts Bar satisfies with a mix of peanuts, almonds and hazelnuts combined with SNICKERS Brand caramel and nougat, all coated with creamy milk chocolate. (November 2015, $1.09-$1.39 for 1.76 oz. single); and
Starburst Brand Orange Sorbet Bars pack an exhilarating burst of orange flavor in a light and delicious bar that is a fruity and refreshing addition to the Frozen Novelty category. (February 2015, $2.99 for a four-count multipack.)
“Shoppers purchase snacks and confections for a variety of reasons, and we’re seeing an increase in requests for lower caloric snack options,” said Timothy LeBel, VP of sales for Mars Chocolate North America. “Our new goodnessknows Snack Squares will fulfill consumers’ appetite for a new snack that tastes indulgent at 150 calories per four-square serving.”
At the expo, the company also announced a number of “key moments” from its promotional calendar, which include NASCAR, Summer Road Trip, “Holiday on the Go” and the Super Bowl. Mars recently supported Red Nose Day, a campaign that aims to raise money for children living in poverty. At the NCA Expo, Mars handed out red noses and encouraged attendees to support the campaign.